Carson City Correctional Facility inmate escapee photos released

Ranar CookDennis HallDaniel HenryAndrew LangLucas SchusterCARSON CITY -- After a prison escape of five inmates from Carson City Correctional Facility, prison guard Sam Olivo , allegedly stabbed in the head with a pitchfork by an inmate, told Beth Palmer to call for help because he thought he was involved in an accident.

The disoriented man lapsed in and out of consciousness. He was incoherent and, at times, unresponsive.

Slowly, Olivo, a 55-year-old from St. Johns and a 22-year state prison system employee, revealed he'd been jumped by at least one and up to five inmates assigned to a nearby work detail.

The suspects, captured about three hours and about 50 miles south of the site of the 11:30 a.m. escape, had stolen the van the crew was using.

"It was clear he was pretty badly beaten and in a state of shock," said Lee Palmer, whose wife cared for Olivo before authorities arrived.

"Blood was everywhere and as what happened began to emerge, it was really unbelievable."

Olivo stumbled up to a half mile from the site where the inmates were clearing brush and cutting trees along a drainage ditch before finding help. He went to an unoccupied mobile home and fell multiple times before reaching the Palmers' residence.